Mandatory vs. Voluntary: When is an ABN Necessary?

Live Online Rebroadcast | March 11th | 1:00 pm ET | CEU: 1.0 | Price: $227 |

Medicare is paying close attention to when and how you have your patients sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN). Specifically, whether you utilized a mandatory or voluntary ABN correctly or not. Get it wrong, and your practice could be headed for a costly, time-consuming audit, which can lead to hefty recoupments, penalties and fines.

Your patients must sign the RIGHT version of the ABN form for you to be compliant. Figuring out whether you need a mandatory or voluntary ABN is where many practices fall short in complying with the requirements. Submitting incorrect forms can get you on Medicare’s radar, and even threaten your standing as a Medicare provider.

Although figuring out which is the right ABN form to use is tricky, you can improve your accuracy with some expert guidance from expert coder, Leonta (Lee) Williams, RHIA, CCS, CCDS, CPC, CPCO, CEMC, CHONC, CRC.During her 60-minute live online rebroadcast on Wednesday, March 11th at 1 pm ET, you will be provided with step-by-step guidance on how to correctly determine the situations wherein a mandatory or voluntary ABN form should be used.

going-over-form

Here are just a few of the ABN questions you’ll get answered during this 60-minute online training:

  • What are your patient and provider financial responsibilities for voluntary and mandatory ABNs?
  • How can you identify what treatments are not covered by Medicare and which ABN to use?
  • Which ABN form is correct for “not medically necessary” treatments you offer?
  • What is the accurate ABN form and modifier if your patient refuses to get a referral for services?
  • How should you apply ABN modifiers to avoid denials?
  • If your non-Medicare provider treats Medicare patients, do they require an ABN?
  • Are ABN forms required to be available in multiple languages?
  • What are non-Medicare ABNs, and when should you use them?
  • If an ABN is not signed can you bill a Medicare patient?
  • And so much more…

An ABN is like an insurance policy. It helps protect you against unpaid claims (while informing your patients about potential expenses they may be responsible for). The problem is, using this complex form correctly can be a significant challenge, but it doesn’t have to be…

Don’t let the confusion regarding which ABN form to use (mandatory or voluntary) put your practice at serious financial and compliance risk. Register for this expert-led online training today.

Meet Your Expert: Leonta Williams, RHIT, CCS, CCDS, CPC, CPCO, CEMC, CHONC, CRC, AAPC Fellow

Lee Williams has over 15 years HIM experience as a coding director, auditor, educator, trainer, practice manager and mentor. She is presently the Director of Coding Operations at a large oncology/hematology physician practice located in the southeast region. In this role, some of her responsibilities include physician and staff education, risk mitigation, outpatient CDI and managing remote coding personnel. Lee also provides consulting services via a small firm with clients to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Industrial Economics, Inc.

Lee has been published in AAPC’s Healthcare Business Monthly (HBM) magazine numerous times with her most recent article entitled “Help Combat the Opioid Crisis by Following Guidelines and State Rules,” appearing in the Feb. 2018 publication. She is founder and the current president of the local AAPC Covington, GA chapter and currently serves on AAPC’s National Advisory Board representing Region 4. Lee is a national speaker and highly credentialed through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). She holds a degree in Health Information Technology and is a certified coder, compliance officer and clinical documentation specialist.


100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or a Full Refund.

You take no risk whatsoever. If you find this essential session doesn’t meet your expectations or you are not
satisfied for any reason, simply let us know.